Man Who Attempted to Sell Ghana’s Diplomatic Property In Nigeria Arrested
The police have arrested Bright Mensah Bonsu who attempted to sell a prime diplomatic property belonging to Ghana’s High Commission in Nigeria.
His arrest by national security operatives was confirmed by the Minister for Foreign Affairs, Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa.
Bonsu who according to the Minister had a close affiliation with the late and former Ghana High Commissioner to Nigeria, Alhaji Rashid Bawa, was neither a staff of the MFA nor the Ghana High Commission in Nigeria.
However, he is said to have signed documents purporting to sell a prime diplomatic property belonging to Ghana’s High Commission at US$5.3 million and considered the US 1.5 million payment as the first instalment
Ablakwa in a Facebook post noted that the US$ 1.5 million cash was not paid into government accounts neither is there any record at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs that the cash was officially declared.
Diplomatic Passport
Meanwhile, the government is investigating the circumstances under which the suspect was issued a diplomatic passport on October 18, 2023, by the former government when he was not eligible for one.
“As we await criminal prosecution shortly, it would be interesting to see how Mr. Mensah Bonsu backs his claims that he acted on the instructions of his superiors and that those superiors gave him access to documents on the diplomatic property.”
Assurance
Ablakwa indicated that his arrest is a clear assurance to Nigerian government officials and the Nigerians who attempted to buy the ‘property of justice’.
The buyer is said to have petitioned President John Dramani Mahama for intervention.
“We take this matter very seriously and will do everything in our power to bring the notorious criminals to justice and recover the US$ 1.5 million.”
“The Mahama administration would not shield anyone who played a role in this grand conspiracy not only to commit a crime but to dent Ghana’s enviable international image.”
Caution
Meanwhile, the Minister noted that no diplomatic property belonging to the people of Ghana is for sale.
Source: opemsuo.com/Hajara Fuseini
